No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

I recently heard from a trusted friend that certain members of my community were questioning my commitment and involvement in a council I joined.  I find it interesting that my commitment was in question or that I was being singled out in a meeting in which I was not present.

I have to date attended all the council meetings and have given what I thought was constructive input and yet I was not being characterized as an outsider with no direct ties to the community.  My question is, who defines community?  What criteria (or hoops do I have to jump thru) is used to measure this commitment?

For those of you who clearly believe that the center of your world is defined by a particular neighborhood or a four block radius... let me introduce myself.  I was born in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia.  Until third grade, I lived in the Fairhill section of the City and attended Welsh Elementary.  From fourth to nineth grade I lived in West Oak Lane attending Pennypacker, Lewis & Germantown High.  The last high school I attended was Mastbaum.  I later married and purchased property in West Kensington, which I have owned for the past 29 years. 

I've resided in Fairmount, Fairhill, West Oak Lane, West Kensington, Logan, Parkwood, Northern Liberties and Oxford Circle.  I've worked in West Kensington, Fishtown, Old Kensington, and North Philadelphia.  I was educated at Temple University in the heart of North Philadelphia. 

Again, I asked what defines a community?  I believe that I belong to the Latino/Hispanic Community, the education community, the University community, the Philadephia community, the neighborhood community... to many communities.  Perhaps its that I actually have expectations, standards, values, and beliefs that might intimidate others.  Perhaps I like to challenge the process, push beyond my limits of comfort, push others beyond their comfort zones?  Is it my healthy disrepect for the impossible that scares others?  Or is it that I am challenging others beliefs about what is acceptable and more importantly was is no longer acceptable?  Hmmmm I wonder.  I can't help but think about that old saying, "No good deed goes unpunished!"